Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp hits during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp hits during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Chicago Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras picks up a dropped ball during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Chicago Cubs players stand on the dugout bench during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish high-fives teammates in the dugout during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

The Dodgers’ starter in Game 7 of last fall’s World Series made his first spring start with his new team, the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday afternoon against his old team. After his two-inning stint, Darvish met with reporters and revealed he had lost 15 pounds during the offseason.

Asked what caused the weight loss, Darvish joked that it was, “Because of what happened in the World Series.”

A popular theory to explain what happened to Darvish in the World Series – he lasted just 1 2/3 innings each in Games 3 and 7, allowing nine runs in all – is that he was tipping his pitches. Darvish (who worked out with Clayton Kershaw in the Dallas area during the winter) said he made some adjustments during the offseason to “make sure” that isn’t an issue going forward and he maintains the same arm slot for all of his pitches.

But that doesn’t mean he is blaming his World Series failure entirely on tipping his pitches.

“Obviously, the Astros are a great, strong team,” Darvish said through his interpreter. “I don’t really know, honestly, if that was it or if the Astros are simply a good team. I think it was partly me not being at my top level in the World Series.

Darvish wasn’t at his best in the first inning against the Dodgers Tuesday. He walked the leadoff hitter, Chris Taylor, and another batter while throwing two wild pitches that led to a run. He retired the side in the second and admitted he had “a little bit of nerves” facing the Dodgers.

NOTES

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said right-hander Wilmer Font’s start against the Cubs Tuesday was “most likely” his last of the spring. With Tom Koehler (shoulder) out indefinitely, Font (who is out of options) has a chance to make the Dodgers’ season-opening bullpen and will pitch in relief the rest of the spring, Roberts said. “Certainly for our roster, it makes the most sense to see him out of the ‘pen,” Roberts said. … Roberts said Corey Seager’s elbow has been “symptom-free” throughout his spring throwing program but the progression will continue to be “methodical.” … Austin Barnes made his first start of the spring behind home plate after suffering some elbow discomfort in January. He and Yasmani Grandal will alternate starts at catcher this week.

Bill Plunkett has covered everything from rodeo to Super Bowls to boxing (yeah, I was there the night Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield's ear off) during a career that started far too long ago to mention and eventually brought him to the OC some time last century (1999 actually). He has been covering Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register since 2003, spending time on both the Angels and Dodgers beats.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.